The Ultimate Salmon Fishing Quiz

Salmon fishing looks so idyllic when shown in movies and television--a man in hip waders standing in a rushing river. Actually, several popular methods of salmon fishing are practiced from a boat. Take this quiz to find out more about good salmon fishing techniques.

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Question 1 of 20

What is the most efficient way to fish salmon from a boat?

downrigger

A downrigger is the most efficient way.

fly fishing

planer board

Question 2 of 20

Why is a downrigger the most efficient way to fish salmon from a boat?

fish in deeper waters

use more than one line

both answers

A downrigger allows for fishing in deeper waters and the option to fish with more than one line.

Question 3 of 20

When is a long-arm downrigger required to fish?

water depths greater than 10 feet

water depths greater than 15 feet

water depths greater than 22 feet

A long-arm downrigger is needed to fish in water depths greater than 22 feet (6.7 meters).

Question 4 of 20

What kind of crank is a portable and less expensive option for downrigging?

electric

manual

A manual crank may be moved from boat to boat and is less expensive than an electric crank.

neither answer

Question 5 of 20

How big was the largest salmon catch on record?

85 pounds

97.4 pounds

The largest catch on record was in Alaska in 1985 and the fish weighed in at 97.4 pounds (44 kilos).

105 pounds

Question 6 of 20

What kind of waterway is a good choice for using a planer board?

Great Lakes

Planer boards are a good choice for lakes, they do not perform well in waters with heavy currents.

Atlantic Ocean

Pacific Ocean

Question 7 of 20

What are planer boards constructed of?

aluminum

wood

Planer boards are constructed of wood, plastic or foam.

both answers

Question 8 of 20

What equipment do you use to fly fish?

boat

hip waders

both answers

Fly fishers use hips waders and although a boat is not an essential, it could come in handy.

Question 9 of 20

When is the spawning season for salmon?

spring and fall

Salmon spawn during the spring and fall.

summer and winter

spring only

Question 10 of 20

What type of fishing rod is longer and more flexible?

spinning reel

bait-casting reel

fly fishing pole

The fly fishing pole is longer and more flexible.

Question 11 of 20

What do the fly-fishing flies resemble?

minnow

herring

both answers

The flies resemble the salmon's natural prey of minnow, needle fish or herring.

Question 12 of 20

What is trolling?

fishing from a dock

fishing from a moving boat

Trolling is fishing from a moving boat.

fishing while standing in a river

Question 13 of 20

When trolling, from what part of the boat should you cast your line?

front

side

Cast your line from the side or back of the boat when trolling.

both answers

Question 14 of 20

How long may you need to battle a large salmon to bring it in?

five minutes

one hour

It may take up to an hour to pull in a larger salmon.

neither answer

Question 15 of 20

If your salmon tastes dense and dry, what happened?

overcooked

Don’t overcook the salmon or you will have a dense and dry meal.

old salmon

both answers

Question 16 of 20

Where can you float fish?

boat

dock

both answers

Float fishing may be done from a boat, dock or a shoreline. It's a simple way to catch salmon.

Question 17 of 20

What fishing method allows you to cast into weeds or lilies?

trolling

float fishing

A popular place to float fish is into weeds or lilies.

neither answer

Question 18 of 20

What other animals also like to eat salmon?

bears

seals

both answers

Bears and seals are among the salmon's most avid predators.

Question 19 of 20

What bait do salmon prefer?

egg sacks

Salmon will pass over herring or minnow for egg sacks.

herring

minnow

Question 20 of 20

Where can you procure egg sacks?

bait shops

collect them yourself

both answers

Egg sacks are available wherever fish bait is sold or you can collect them yourself. Imitation egg sacks are also available.